Juice up the season

City Exchange opens on West Wayne

By Jennifer Dodds Fox for Fort Wayne Magazine

Monday, December 14th, 2015

Sip with style @ Jai Juice
Do your holiday shopping with a wellness twist. Using organic produce, the Jai Juice bar creates nutrient-rich, cold-pressed juices that nourish the body and focus the mind. I’m personally addicted to the Purify and Awake blends and rely on their ginger shots to kick the common cold to the curb. Jai Juice offers one-, three- and seven-day cleanses as well as seasonal blends such as Summer’s Hydrate (jalapeño and watermelon) and Winter’s Festive (pear and cinnamon). From 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10, Jai Juice is hosting a pop-up shopping party with juice tastings and bringing in jewelry, accessory and clothing brands. Matilda Jane, presented by Sara Spitler, will be showing oh-so-charming holiday collections of clothing for girls, tweens and women. Noonday Collection, presented by Florence Bear, will be showcasing gorgeous jewelry and accessories. The company creates meaningful opportunities and dignified jobs for artisans in vulnerable communities around the world via stylish, handmade goods. I own quite a few pieces from Noonday that always prompt the question, “Where did you get that?” Bonus: Noonday items purchased at Jai Juice on Dec. 10 will arrive in time for Christmas! Jai Juice is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-
6 p.m. Sun. 1301 Lafayette St. To learn more, call (260) 422-5245 or visit jaijuice.com. To see the latest collections from Matilda Jane and Noonday Collection, visit www.MatildaJaneClothing.com and www.NoondayCollection.com.

Gift local jams to music fans
Neat Neat Neat (previously profiled in this column) is an amazing outpost for all things vinyl (music, equipment, etc). In addition to vintage, rare as well as wide-release music, Neat Neat Neat also stocks albums by local musicians and bands. Keep your eyes peeled for albums by fab Fort Wayne bands such as Metavari, Lost Lakes, Hope Arthur Orchestra (whose LP “Twice Two” is in stock now) and Heaven’s Gateway Drugs. In many cases, once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. Neat Neat Neat also runs its own small record label, and its most recent release is an EP ($5) with two songs by singer-songwriter Addison Agen, daughter of owner Morrison Agen. But don’t cry nepotism – Morrison is a well-versed aficionado of music and knows raw talent, skill and passion when he hears it, regardless (or in spite) of shared DNA. The song “Start Over” is fun and beautiful and terrifically catchy (now on repeat at my house) while “You,” on the B side, is a pared-down, sweet and innocent love song that will only be featured on this 45, not on her LP, “New Places,” dropping sometime this winter. It’s astonishing to me that every musician playing on this record is under 18 years old. While 14-year-old Addison Agen sings (and plays ukulele, guitar, keyboards and some percussion), Bray Coughlin is hitting the drums, Alex Renbarger is strumming the mandolin and guitar, Jacob Jehle is tapping the keyboard and Korrigan Agen, the singer’s younger brother, is plucking the bass. I urge you to support our local musicians – of all ages – by attending their shows and purchasing their albums. Gift music fans on your holiday list with local tunes from a local shop for something truly unique. Neat Neat Neat is open noon-6 p.m. Mon., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 1836 S. Calhoun St. Call (260) 755-5559 or visit www.neatneatneatrecords.com. Pro Tip: Plan your visit to Neat Neat Neat on a Tuesday morning, then pop next door to The Oyster Bar for the $2 burger lunch special (served until 2 p.m. on Tuesdays only). OMG … so, so marvelous!

Shop small and local @ City Exchange
Some of you might remember the wildly popular HollyPop Pop Up Shops downtown from Decembers past. In a brilliant move, the once-temporary space has been masterfully transformed into the coolest indie modern mini-mall of our dreams. City Exchange is now home to small and local brands and gives them a downtown presence. The sleek, industrial-chic space has been divided up into mini-shops, with an open seating area, family fitting rooms, free Wi-Fi and a sparkling fresh juice and smoothie bar by Juice Jar. In the Around the Corner Shop, you’ll find cinda b handbags, hand-printed cards and coasters by Hedgehog Press and cool boys’ clothing from The Good Ones. If you’re shopping for clothing, Belyst has the ladies covered with the latest and greatest each season, while David Talbot Collection offers new and gently used clothing, accessories and leather goods for gents. Valontine features vintage T-shirts and accessories, grooming products for men and home decor (I’ll take one of the golden-antlered resin deer heads, please). Fiddlewinks sells its own line of handmade and hand-painted pottery, and Poptique is there selling everyone’s favorite uniquely flavored popcorn. The space is flexible and will offer special events and limited-edition pop-up shops, and it can accommodate private shopping experiences and meetings. City Exchange is open noon- 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 127 W. Wayne St. To inquire about the shops or renting your own, call (260) 786-5833 or visit www.the-city-exchange.com.